Ambulance service rejects traffic plan (From Gazette Series)

Ambulance service rejects traffic plan

A MAJOR road traffic calming scheme in Winterbourne could be given the green light by councillors, even though emergency services have objected to it. A number of residents in Flaxpits Lane, where the speed limit could be reduced to 20mph, also found the plans unacceptable.

If the scheme goes ahead, eight pairs of speed cushions and a crossing point would be installed outside the shops in Flaxpits Lane.

Avon Ambulance Service is also unhappy about the proposals and has argued with South Gloucestershire Council in such detail that even the inner wheel base width of an ambulance has been brought into question.

The emergency service stated that patients are treated better on smooth roads as there are fewer disturbances to sensitive equipment. It also claims that response times are adversely affected by traffic calming schemes.

In its letter of objection the service told the council: "In order to pass smoothly over a cushion, ambulances must approach them in a straight-line. "When drivers pull over to let an ambulance pass, this straight approach is prevented."

Author of research into the scheme, council director of planning, transportation and the strategic environment Peter Jackson, said: "Speed cushions have been specially developed by the Transport Research Laboratory in response to concerns raised by the emergency services to full width speed humps.

"It is considered that should vehicles pull over to let an ambulance past in the vicinity of a cushion, the ambulance could fully straddle the matching cushion on the opposite side of the carriageway."

He added: "Cushions are supported by the police because they are self-enforcing and therefore free up police time for the more important task of tackling crime."

According to council figures, seven injury accidents have been recorded in Flaxpits Lane during the past three years. All casualties were said to have been in vulnerable age categories either aged 18 and under or above 70.

Mr Jackson maintained: "In view of the accident rate and the high proportion of child and elderly pedestrians involved, it is considered that casualty reduction measures should be given a high priority."

In consultation meeting with 300 residents last July, 28 per cent said they opposed the scheme, while 58 per cent said they supported the speed cushions and a 20mph limit.

But objections, including claims that other councils are currently removing speed cushions, that cars can be damaged by them and that parked vehicles will make negotiating the cushions very difficult, could put councillors off allowing any work to begin.

Other forms of traffic management including parking restrictions and "cheaper" speed cameras were suggested by residents. They also questioned who actually proposed the scheme in the first place.

The decision on the traffic calming measures will be taken within the next few weeks.